How to Dial In "Afraid of Sunlight" by Marillion - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Afraid of Sunlight"
Suggested rig · the original isn't documented.
Knob Positions, Pickup, and Tuning
Where to set the knobs for this tone. Each value is on the standard 0–10 amp scale.
On your amp, these numbers won't sound the same.
Get the settings for my ampHow the artist had their guitar configured for this take.
The title track of the 1995 album, with Steve Hogarth singing about fame and its price over a slow, atmospheric arrangement. Steve Rothery plays a clean, restrained part that grows into a melodic, emotional solo. No source available here confirms the exact gear on this recording, so a Stratocaster through a Marshall with a delay pedal stands in. Use the neck pickup, a clean-to-lightly-driven tone and a long delay, and play the solo with vocal-like phrasing and long, held notes.
Common Questions About the "Afraid of Sunlight" Tone
What guitar did Marillion use on "Afraid of Sunlight"?
The guitar on "Afraid of Sunlight" (released 1995) isn't documented; the Fender American Professional II Stratocaster above gets the sound. Pickup selector: neck pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "Afraid of Sunlight" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 4.5, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 6.5, Presence 5.5, Volume 6.5. Each value is on the standard 0–10 amp scale; match them on your amp first, then nudge to taste. ToneMirror can translate these positions for whatever amp you actually own.
Can I play "Afraid of Sunlight" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Afraid of Sunlight" tone on a Katana, a Helix, a tube combo, or anything else. The translation accounts for EQ curve, gain structure, and pickup type so the result actually sounds like the record, not just the same knob numbers on different gear.
What pedals are on "Afraid of Sunlight"?
Whether you own those exact units or close substitutes, ToneMirror maps the pedal voicings onto the pedalboard you actually have.
More Tones You Can Dial In
Tone references for "Afraid of Sunlight" by Marillion are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.